Hardtail vs Dual suspension

[ChrisF]

reviving an old thread ... cant seem to find a newer one on this topic ....

 

Take it a there have been some technological advances since the previous post.  And even surer many have switched a few times since then .....

 

 

So what is the current status on HT vs DS ?

 

Thoughts on a HT with larger tires ?  That massive tire must take some energy to spin up ... 

[gummibear]

reviving an old thread ... cant seem to find a newer one on this topic ....

 

Take it a there have been some technological advances since the previous post.  And even surer many have switched a few times since then .....

 

 

So what is the current status on HT vs DS ?

 

Thoughts on a HT with larger tires ?  That massive tire must take some energy to spin up ... 

Guess it depends on your riding?

 

If you want to race XC or stage races then a + wheels size might not be what you want.For some fun on the trails they are great

[scubes]

interesting thread. I'm now over 40 and love my HT. but then again i have never owned a dual sus. have been slowly upgrading the HT to be more trail capable with plusher fork and dropper etc. the bike now is fun and i love riding it. Still climbs well. i like the challenge of a HT and picking your lines correctly on black routes and tech sections. However.. i like being different and am that way in most things in life.. i would suspect that 99 out of 100 people would choose the dual sus over the HT if offered both for free. a bonus is the lower running costs of maintaining the HT.

[ChrisF]

Guess it depends on your riding?

 

If you want to race XC or stage races then a + wheels size might not be what you want.For some fun on the trails they are great

 

Yes Gummibear ....

 

Been doing a LOT of reading .. and realised MY concept of "trail riding" certainly dont fit the modern definition !

 

 

I ride the "trails" at places like Meerendal .... but not into the high speed down hill racing ... so sounds like I am then rather a "cross country" rider .... ??????????????

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Yes Gummibear ....

 

Been doing a LOT of reading .. and realised MY concept of "trail riding" certainly dont fit the modern definition !

 

 

I ride the "trails" at places like Meerendal .... but not into the high speed down hill racing ... so sounds like I am then rather a "cross country" rider .... ??????????????

No. You're just a rider that prefers flow rather than tech.

[ChrisF]

No. You're just a rider that prefers flow rather than tech.

 

Thanks.  Getting closer to pegging my type of riding into the modern jargon .... 

 

 

So what do you recommend for this type of "non-technical-trail-riding" ? 

 

XC bike ?

 

Trail bike ?  maybe an overkill for me ?

 

Something else ?

[billygoat0523]

if meerendal is the type of riding you do, then i'd say go for the hardtail.  if longer rides and comfort are your thing, then go for a dual sus.

 

my calves tended to cramp up after doing a few rocky/bumpy descents as your legs are the shock absorbers for the rear on a HT.

[ChrisF]

Myles I watched a nice video on trail vs XC bikes (comparing the Anthem and Trance).  Presenter talked about :

 

. Handlebar width - my XT Edition is wider than the Big 9 40

. Stem length - XT Edition has a longer stem ...

 

 

This may go some way towards explaining the difference in handling between the two - the XT Edition is MUCH more sensitive to steering input

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Longer stem slows steering but places your weight further forward so it feels more skittish.

 

Wider bar gives you more leverage and again slows steering a tad as your hands have to move more distance to get the same angle of steering input when compared to a narrow bar.

 

Narrow bar = quick steering. Short stem = quick but direct steering. Short stem & narrow bar = very quick steering / more skittish. It's why road bikes have long stems cos they have such narrow bars. Try sticking a 35mm stem on a roadie and see how sharp the steering goes.

 

Also factors would be head angle, bike size, tyres, wheel stiffness etc.

Edited April 14, 2017 by Myles Mayhew

[Tony datoy]

I've got both, a hard tail + and a dual.

 

I always tend to grab the dual as its way more fun.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

A long travel hard tail is an absolute HOOT to ride.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

So, "AGENT", did you swap in the end?

[lechatnoir]

Try sticking a 35mm stem on a roadie and see how sharp the steering goes.

 

Went from a 110 to a 70 on my road bike and it's a blast on the twisties now.

[Mongoose!]

Went from a 110 to a 70 on my road bike and it's a blast on the twisties now.

Sounds like your frame is too big for you?

[billygoat0523]

had a slight incident with a tree on Thursday, so had to use my Hardtail for the Easter weekend.  I've really not missed all that kidney shaking on rocky descents.  The traction is definitely less as the backwheel bounces over rocks and stuff.  This does teach you to pick the smoothest lines out on the trails and to time your braking better.

[lechatnoir]

Sounds like your frame is too big for you?

no... compromised hip flexibility and prolapsed cervical disc... more upright now and much better.